Carmella gets what she wants, when she wants it, and this lady has her sights set on making history in WWE. A former NFL and NBA dancer, the self-titled “Princess of Staten Island” has the athletic abilities to make her dreams a reality.
The bombshell’s road to the NXT ring was rather unusual, but now she is one of WWE SmackDown’s rising stars after the WWE Draft.
The first, undisputed 2x Money in the Bank winner, she is on the road to become SmackDown LIVE Women’s Champion.
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Things are going well for the WWE Superstar, member of the “SmackDown” roster and winner of the inaugural women’s Money in the Bank ladder match. On Monday, the 29-year-old pro wrestler was named as one of the new cast members of “Total Divas,” joining the Bella Twins, Natalya, Naomi, Lana and Maryse on the hit E! reality series. (Nia Jax and Alexa Bliss are also joining the show for Season 7.)

TheWrap talked with Carmella — who was a dancer for the New England Patriots and L.A. Lakers before signing with WWE — to talk about her new reality TV gig, the “women’s revolution” currently happening in the WWE, and what it means to be a role model for female fans.

“I am really excited, I can’t wait for the show to come out,” Carmella, whose real name is Leah Van Dale, told TheWrap. “I’m honored to be a part of ‘Total Divas’ and show the world who Carmella is, not only on ‘SmackDown Live’ but in real life.”

TheWrap: Has joining the cast of “Total Divas” become a benchmark that WWE Divas now aspire to?Carmella: I am not sure it is something we aim for, but I am honored to be a part of it and show the world who Carmella is, not only on “SmackDown Live” but in real life.

This is a super exciting time for the women in the WWE, so I can’t wait for everyone to see the progress that the women have been making over the last few years. This year, there were two women’s matches on the card WrestleMania — it has come a long way and I am really excited for the fans to see what’s in store for the women now.Read the rest of this entry

Back from the break and Dasha Fuentes is with SmackDown Women’s Champion Naomi backstage. She talks about Natalya disrespecting her after the Fatal 5 Way at Battleground and Natalya appears. Natalya gets Dasha to leave and rips Naomi for what she’s done to the title, turning it into a toy. She says Naomi doesn’t respect the legends who paved the way for her. Natalya says Naomi disgusts her and promises to take the title at SummerSlam, saying she will restore honor to the title. Naomi says Natalya is so stuck in the dirty Dungeon of the past that she can’t see this title is now. Naomi says she does have respect but she earned the title and just added her own twist to it. She goes on and says Natalya will be blinded by the glow at SummerSlam if she keeps on. Carmella appears with her Money In the Bank briefcase. She reminds Naomi that she and the contract are just looking to the future.

Later this fall, The Bellas will return to the fan-favorite E! series Total Divas, which premieres its seventh season. Following the explosive Season 6 finale, the new season introduces fans to Carmella, Nia Jax and Alexa Bliss, and rounds out the cast with Natalya, Maryse, Lana and Naomi. Total Divas gives viewers a beyond-the-ropes look at how these strong, influential women juggle life on the road with their personal and romantic lives.

Total Bellas and Total Divas are produced by WWE and Bunim/Murray Productions. Gil Goldschein, Jeff Jenkins and Russell Jay are Executive Producers for Bunim/Murray Productions. Kevin Dunn is Executive Producer for WWE. Nikki Bella and Brie Bella serve as Executive Producers for Total Bellas, and Nikki Bella also serves as a Co-Executive Producer for Total Divas.

Back from the break and Renee is with Naomi backstage. While she’s not wrestling on Sunday, she will be at Battleground to enter the ring and congratulate the new #1 contender after the Fatal 5 Way Elimination Match. She goes on about retaining at SummerSlam until Carmella appears behind her with the Money In the Bank briefcase. Carmella dismisses Renee and reminds Naomi that she and the briefcase go wherever Naomi and her title go. Carmella says Naomi she will see her at Battleground on Sunday.

Back from the break and Shane is on the phone with SmackDown General Manager Daniel Bryan. He confirms that no one has asked about James Ellsworth, who is suspended. Shane sends his best wishes to Brie Bella and baby Birdie Joe. SmackDown Women’s Champion Naomi walks in and is curious about her next challenger. She says Shane better not mention Lana again. Charlotte Flair walks in and she agrees. Becky Lynch, Natalya, Tamina Snuka and Lana are all in the room. Shane announces a Fatal 5 Way Elimination Match with Charlotte, Becky, Natalya, Tamina and Lana for Battleground. The winner will face Naomi at SummerSlam. Charlotte complains about Lana being in the match. Tamina tells her to watch her mouth. Natalya blasts Charlotte and accuses her of riding Ric Flair’s coattails. Shane makes Becky and Charlotte vs. Tamina and Natalya for later tonight. He asks them all to leave. Naomi sticks around but here comes Ms. Money In the Bank. She has a petition from her attorney to reinstate Ellsworth as he was wronged last week. Shane reads the paper and rips it up. The decision stands. Carmella storms off. Shane says Naomi now has her answer.

We see Ms. Money In the Bank Carmella backstage walking with James Ellsworth. They are headed to the ring for a Carmellabration. Back to commercial.

– Back from the break and out comes Carmella with her Money In the Bank briefcase and James Ellsworth. Ellsworth takes the mic and says he’s canceling Independence Day because we’re here for something more important – a Carmellabration. He tells everyone to stand and give it up for the first, second and only Ms. Money In the Bank.

Carmella laughs at everyone for thinking someone else was going to win the briefcase in the rematch. She says everyone wanted to write history by making Daniel Bryan grant the rematch. She says you can’t always get what you want… unless you’re Carmella. She goes on about having all the power and says she gets to decide when and where she will beat Naomi for the title. The music interrupts and out comes the SmackDown Women’s Champion.

Naomi congratulates Carmella on being able to call herself Ms. Money In the Bank but Naomi likes to call herself something else… the SmackDown Women’s Champion. Naomi goes on and says she’s not worried about Carmella cashing in because her eyes will always be open and her glow will always be on. She addresses Ellsworthless next and says someone else has words for him… the music hits and out comes the SmackDown General Manager to a big “yes!” chant.

Bryan wonders what he’s going to do with Ellsworth. Fans chant Bryan’s name. Ellsworth goes to speak but Bryan tells him to shut up. Bryan says he knows exactly what he’s going to do with Ellsworth – bar him from the arena. Fans pop. Ellsworth mocks Bryan about getting back into the arena. Bryan also fines Ellsworth $10,000. Ellsworth doesn’t like that. Bryan also suspends Ellsworth for 30 days. Fans chant “yes!” at him. Bryan says if Ellsworth doesn’t leave right now or if he breaks any of these rules, Carmella will be stripped of her contract. Carmella tells Ellsworth to leave and takes his arm to lead him to the back. Bryan’s music hits as he celebrates with Naomi in the ring. We go to commercial.